Supreme Court, Hongkong,
15th. March, 1909.
I have the honour to acknowledge Your Excellency's letter of 11th. March forwarding copy of a despatch relative to the Ordinance to amend the Interpretation Ordinance 1897.
2. I did not draft the Bill, but as correctly stated by the Attorney-General in his report, it was submitted to me. I consented to look through the draft, and make suggestions with regard to it, on account of the highly technical nature of the amendment which the Interpretation Ordinance required. The question is exhaustively dealt with in the judgment in the case; a copy of which should, I think, have been annexed to the Attorney-General's report. As Mr. Rees-Davies has left the Colony, I forward herewith a copy of the Law Reports, containing a print of the judgment.
3. The hearing of an argument on a point of law was fixed for an early day in May, and the trial of the action for late June. I have postponed the argument, but I should be glad if possible, if the signification of His Majesty's pleasure with regard to the Ordinance could be cabled before that date, as of course in view of the Secretary of State's despatch the trial of the case cannot go on. In the circumstances, I should be glad also if Your Excellency could forward this letter to the Secretary of State by French Mail tomorrow.
I have etc.,
(sd.) F. T. Piggott,
Chief Justice.
His Excellency
The Governor.